Programmable buttons for telephone user interface

Abstract

A graphical user interface for a telephone system includes programmable buttons which may be customized for individual users or groups of users. The programmable buttons enable user specific functionality to be provided, for example, enabling a button to be defined to record a call at a particular extension with one touch. The programmable buttons are collected onto toolbars and displayed on the user interface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Modern telephones now have the capability of implementing wide ranges of features such as speed dial, intercom, conference, transfer, etc. These features are typically provided by the telephone vendor, and accordingly have general applicability to wide classes of users of the telephone. With the exception of speed dial programmability, however, the features are not able to be customized for particular individual users or small groups of users. For example, a typical office telephone, whether conventional or voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) includes a large number of buttons which, when activated, implement particular features designated by the system vendor, such as mute, conference, hold, and the like. They sometimes also include a number of buttons—“speed dial buttons”—which may be programmed by the user to dial specific telephone numbers.[0002]Implementation of functionality beyond that built into the telephone system at the time of sale typica...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]This invention enables customization of a user interface for a telephone when that user interface is provided on a personal computer, mobile interface, or other similar device coupled to the telephone system. The advantages of using the coupled device interface instead of the physical phone include the availability of a more complete alphanumeric keyboard, a larger display, or a portable wireless device, etc. The system enables a user or an administrator to program custom functions associated with individual buttons and sets of buttons to form toolbars to be displayed on the coupled device screen and thereby implement specific functionality for individual users or groups of users. For example, a user or administrator can program a button on the computer user interface to record a call at a specific extension. Typically, the invention is implemented by using toolbars which include buttons (or other appropriate user interface icons) in which each button may be programmed to implement specific functionality, such as desired by individual users or small groups of users. Instead of a toolbar, other user interfaces, such as a tool box dialog or dynamic menus, may be used to show a customized collection of functions. Preferably users or administrators can add “speed operation” buttons such as “record call at extension 5203, and send the recording to extension 4523,”“transfer to external number 803-555-6767,”“monitor call activity at the accounting department,”“show Instant Messaging presence for a specific contact,” etc. This specific customization to individual users' desired functionality can enable increases in convenience and productivity for users of such telephone systems.

Problems solved by technology

With the exception of speed dial programmability, however, the features are not able to be customized for particular individual users or small groups of users.

Remembering these keystroke sequences can be frustrating, and results in all but the most commonly used functionality being ignored.

There is essentially no easy way for a user or a system administrator to implement user specific functionality or even small user group specific functionality for a telephone system.

Another limitation of conventional telephone interfaces is that they do not provide feedback on real-time call state or current configuration of the function associated with the speed dial.

Speed dialing is typically limited to functions controlled by a central telephone switch.

As a result, there is no ability to program functions that affect the device, such as mute or the user interface, or to program non-telephony functionality, such as opening windows or invoking an Internet URL.

These systems, however, do not allow a user of an extension, or even a system administrator for that system, to define custom functionality for a particular button or buttons on a computer or similar device that is not physically a part of the telephone itself.

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